Title
Briefing on the Urban Forest Management Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the Urban Forest Management Plan.
Report Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on the Urban Forest Management Plan.
Staff Contact:
Kym Foley, Sr Environmental Planner, Public Works Water Resources, 360.570.3957
Presenter:
Kym Foley, Sr Environmental Planner
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia is developing an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP), to be completed by May 2028. This comprehensive roadmap will help the City achieve the following goals: 1) Protect or establish healthy tree canopy in areas where environmental, social, and economic benefits are the most equitable and impactful; and 2) Advance the City’s climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience outcomes. The recommended policies, programs, and operational best practices will strike a balance between environmental health and sustainable urban growth. A successful UFMP will ensure that both the benefits and challenges of tree canopy in urban, residential, and natural areas throughout the city are distributed equitably across Olympia’s communities. The plan will be informed by the following key project activities:
• Community Outreach and Engagement: An inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to gathering public input is essential to anchoring Olympia’s UFMP in the vision, needs, and experiences of Olympia’s communities and stakeholders. A variety of opportunities to engage will be offered to ensure a diverse range of perspectives and identities are heard and represented.
• Existing Conditions and Best Practices Analysis: A comprehensive review of current land use, policies, programs, and operations across all departments doing work related to managing trees on both public and private properties. A comparison to updated urban forestry best practices and regional case studies will identify gaps, needs and opportunities to be addressed in the plan.
• Develop Goals and Strategies: Tree canopy goals will be established based on findings from the previous two activities, data from the 2023 Olympia Tree Canopy Assessment, and additional geospatial analysis. The resulting action plan will recommend updates to policies, programs, operations, and resources needed to achieve those goals.
Development of the Urban Forest Management Plan is named in the updated Olympia Comprehensive Plan (Olympia 2045) under Goal GN3: “A healthy and resilient urban forest is protected and valued for its contribution to the environment and community.” Policy PN3.1 further directs the City to “Develop an Urban Forest Management Plan to establish tree canopy goals and inform the policies, programs, operations, and resources needed to implement those goals.” Additionally, the City’s 2024-2029 Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permit requires adoption and implementation of tree canopy goals and policies to support stormwater management and water quality improvement in receiving waters (S5.C.1.c.iii).
Climate Analysis:
The urban forest is vulnerable to climate change but also plays a role in advancing climate adaptation and resilience in urban environments. The City has already begun updating many of its programs and operating procedures to account for a changing climate, such as selecting tree species better suited to hotter and drier conditions. The UFMP will formalize and expand these strategies and resources needed to maintain a healthy and resilient tree canopy. A robust urban forest helps mitigate effects of urban heat, manage increased stormwater runoff from heavier rain events, and address other climate related challenges.
Equity Analysis:
Historic inequities in urban and environmental planning have left many marginalized communities with significantly less access to trees and green spaces. These disparities contribute to higher temperatures, poor air quality, increased stormwater runoff, and fewer opportunities for recreation and mental health benefits. The UFMP will prioritize equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, along with meaningful community involvement in developing goals and strategies. This approach supports reducing health disparities and improving climate resilience. A UFMP is key to ensuring Olympia’s growth occurs sustainably, balancing the critical need for housing and public infrastructure with a strategically and equitably managed tree canopy that promotes both public and environmental health.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Public input received during planning projects over the last several years reveals a strong interest in trees and the natural environment. Community engagement associated with the Capital Mall Triangle Redevelopment Plan, the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update, and others resulted in many comments encouraging the City to review and strengthen its tree protection and climate adaptation policies related to the urban forest. Similarly, community members strongly urge the City to reduce barriers to developing affordable housing, therefore a balance between these complex needs must be met.
Financial Impact:
The City received a grant from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program in the amount of $117,800 with no match requirement. This will fully fund development and delivery of the Urban Forest Management Plan. It enables the City to retain an experienced consultant to implement a majority of the scope of work, and to hire a student intern to support community engagement. City staff across multiple departments will contribute time throughout the duration of the project to further inform goals and strategies identified in the plan.
Options:
Receive a briefing on the Urban Forest Management Plan.
Do not receive a briefing on the Urban Forest Management Plan.
Receive a briefing at another time.
Attachments:
UFMP Draft Timeline
Resolution M2708